Johnson (II)

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

ANDREW, an American DREW, an American statesman, 17th president of the United resident of the United States; born in Raleigh, N. C., Dec. 29, aleigh, N. C., Dec. 29, 1808. At 10 years of age he was inrs of age he was in- ANDREW JOHNSON JOHNSON for whom he worked dentured to a tailor, for whom he worked for seven years, receiving no schooling, eceiving no schooling, but was taught to read by a fellowto read by a fellowapprentice. In 1826, with his mother, he 26, with his mother, he emigrated to Tennessee. Here he marnessee. e. Here he married Eliza McCardle, a woman of good ile, a woman of good education, who instructed him in writing tructed him in writing plishments. He was and other accomplishments. He was three times elected alderman, and then alderman, and then mayor in 1828-1830. In 1835 and in 330. In 1885 and in 1839 he was sent to the Tennessee Legisthe Tennessee Legislature. In 1840 he made campaign he made campaign Buren, that gave him speeches for Van Buren, that gave him for oratory. In 1843 a wide reputation for oratory. In 1843 he was elected to Congress, and re- Congress, and reelected in 1845, 1847, 1849, and 1851, 847, 1849, and 1851. In 1853 Tennessee was "gerrymandered" was gerrymandered" don, whereupon he ran to prevent his election, whereupon he ran for governor, and was elected. In 1857 was elected. In 1857 he was sent to the United States Senate, where he ably advocated and secured the passage of a homestead bill, which President Buchanan vetoed. He ardently advocated the Union cause, and was made military governor of Tennessee by Lincoln in 1862, where he gave vigorous support to the Federal government. In Ous 1864 was elected Vice-President, resident, Lincoln, and on the assassination of Linwith coln, in April, 1865, became President by 1 succession. His administration was marked by constant dissension between himself and Congress, and he was impeached before that body, for resisting the execution of the acts of Congress , and various alleged "high crimes and misdemeanors." The trial was presided over by Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase. A two-thirds vote necessary to convict could not be secured, and the trial failed (May 16, 1868). A change of one vote, however, would have carried conviction. When his term expired he retired to Tennessee, and in 1875 was elected to the United States Senate, but died July 31, of that year.